DESIGNER AND CRAFTSMAN IN - INTARSIA - WOOD INLAY

Born in the Netherlands in a small rural village, between the historic towns of s'Hertogenbosch and Nijmegen. This area is famous in Holland for furniture makers.

Alardus' father was a building contractor, and behind their house was the carpentry workshop. From a young age Alardus could be found in the workshop making things from wood.

In 1968, Alardus went to the Art Academy in Enschede, (north-east Holland) where he enjoyed creating and designing in mixed materials.

In 1972 he came to live in England, here he studied at Brighton Art College, developing his designing skills. He also at this time became interested in repairing Antiques.

In 1976 he came to live in the west country and in 1978 studied with a Master Craftsman the Art of Inlay.

Alardus has been designing and working in wood inlay ever since, with the view to making things both useful and beautiful.

Alardus began working in various styles including Art Nouveau and William Morris. Then he started designing in the Medieval style using Medieval Tapesties and Manuscripts as his inspiration. This appealed to his imagination as it was not just pretty but had content, which can be appreciated through time. This lead to the range of Medieval Themes and Stories which you see in 'The Harvest' & 'The Hunt' Mirrors and also the Table Mats of ' The Book of Trades' and 'The Canterbury Tales'.

Alardus then moved on to a new area of design and began to draw on themes from Nature, by doing Landscapes and Trees. this lead into his current theme of 'The Forest' (Mirrors and Table Mats). This returns to his original fascination for a more abstract / sculptural form, and his designs give an opportunity to work more with the natural grains of the woods, and the unusual shapes and contrasts that one finds in nature.

Alardus produces pieces of exceptional craftsmanship with his own original designs, this is a unique combination of talent and vision that he turns into items that can be used and enjoyed in the home today and for many years to come.